Sifter toys



L. B. ROSEN SIFTER TOYS A ril 25, 1967- Filed Sept.

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Leonard B. Rosen ATTORNEYS A ril 25, 1967 L. B. ROSEN 3,315,807

S IF'I'ER TOYS Filed Sept. 21, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Leonard B. Rosen Inga/6041;.

A ril 25, 1967 L. B. I -ROSEN 3,315,807

SIFTER TOYS Filed Sept. 21, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Leonard B. Rosen ATTORNEYS L. B. ROSEN S IFTER TOYS April 25, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 21, 1964 INVENTOR. Leonard B. Rosen A TTORNEYS United States Patent This invention relates to sifter toys and more particularly it relates to manually operable amusement devices which can be used in conjunction with sand or other particulate matter to provide an interesting and time-consuming pastime.

It is well known that children enjoy playing in the sand and will often spend long periods of time at play in sandboxes or at a beach. Manipulation of the sand and the observation of the flow characteristics of the sand appear to hold a particular fascination which holds the attention of children and keeps them occupied for long periods of time. In order to increase the enjoyment of such play, certain toys have been developed for use with sand.

For the most part, such toys have, in the past, taken the form of pails or pitchers which can be filled with sand and then emptied. Such toys, of course, do not provide for any real manipulation by the child and accordingly, fail to retain his interest for very long. Even other forms of sand toys, such as shovels or funnels do not really have any moving parts which can be manipulated, but instead are customarily formed of only a single piece of metal or plastic. There has been provided in the past, a sifter unit having a screen or a planar surface with interstices therein through which sand can be filtered, but again such a unit was only a single piece without any moving parts to be manipulated by the child.

There are, of course, numerous forms of games and toys which have been provided for children and which are equipped with various forms of moving parts which can be manipulated by a child. However, most such toys are provided for indoor use and are not specifically designed for use in sand. If such toys are used with sand, the particles of sand often work their way into the interior of the toy to clog its moving parts and prevent it from working properly. Also, if an indoor toy or game is used in sand, the sand may tend to accumulate in portions thereof and may fall or trickle out in the house when the toy is again used indoors.

Another consideration which must be accounted for in the design of a childs toy is the complexity of the toy, since this necessarily determines the acceptability of the toy for children of a particular age group. Naturally, if a toy is quite complex and has multiple moving parts which must be intricately and carefully operated, the toy will be unacceptable for very young children since they will be unable to operate it. On the other hand, if a toy is too simple, it will be unacceptable for older children who will quickly become bored with it. It can thus be seen that the optimum toy construction is one which is provided with moving parts which can be easily operated by younger children, yet is sufilciently sophisticated to appeal to older children. Since such an optimum construction would have a broad spectrum of appeal, the number of prospective purchasers would naturally be greater and the commercial value of the toy would necessarily be enhanced.

3,315,837 Patented Apr. 25, 1967 With the foregoing matter firmly in mind, it is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved form of sifter toy adapted specifically for use with sand.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved amusement device for use in sand or other particulate material, with such a device having a plurality of moving parts which can be readily manipulated by young children.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sifting type sand toy having a number of moving parts which can readily operate in sand and which will not become clogged thereby.

Further objects of the present invention are to provide a sifter toy which is attractive, inexpensive, durable, easy to manufacture, and safe for children to operate.

Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

The foregoing objects are attained by providing a sifter toy having a series of slidably mounted, superposed sieves or creens disposed above a curvilinear base section. The mesh of the screens is arranged in decreasing graduation toward the base section, or, stated another way, the uppermost screen is provided with holes or interstices of a first size, the next adjacent lower screen is provided with slightly smaller holes or interstices, the next lower screen is provided with still smaller holes or interstices, and so on. Thus, the sand which is poured through these screens is gradually filtered downward until it empties into the base section. The base section is suitably curved to direct the flow of the sand which empties thereinto. In shape, the base section can be funnel-shaped to allow the sand to empty into a pail, or it can be arcuate to allow the toy to rock. In either case, the base section receives and directs the sand flowing downward through the screens.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of sifter toy in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the sifter toy of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view of the sifter toy of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an exploded perspective view of the frame of the sifter toy of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of sifter toy in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the sifter toy of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 77 of FIGURE 5; and,

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly in section, and taken substantially along line 8--8 of FIGURE 7.

In general, the present invention provides a sifter toy generally designated 10 which includes a frame generally designated 12, a plurality of sieve or screen members generally designated 14 which are slidably mounted in the 3 frame, and a curvilinear base section 16 depending from the frame 14.

Referring now to the embodiment of sifter toy shown in FIGURE 1, it will be noted that the screens or sieve members 14 are arranged within the frame 112 in a stacked or superposed relationship. Each member 12 is formed with a peripheral border, preferably rectangular in shape, which includes a pair of spaced, opposed side members 18 and a pair of spaced, opposed end members 29 joining the ends of such side members. The ends members 20 are provided with pulls or handles 22 which permit the sieve members 14 to be manually moved. In each member 14, a screen or open mesh grid 24 extend across the area surrounded by the peripheral border, with such a screen being suitably fastened to the side and end members. The screen or grid 24 is preferably fabricated of wire, but it may also be fabricated of fabric, plastic, netting, or other similar material. Regardless of what material the screen or grid 24 is formed of, its essentially characteristic is that it provides an open network having a series of interstices or perforations therein.

As can be seen from FIGURE 1, and perhaps more clearly from FIGURE 3, the mesh size of each screen 24 is different. For ease of reference, the uppermost screen can be referredto as 24A, the intermediate screen as 24B, and the lowermost screen as 24C, when the screens are oriented as shown in FIGURE 1. The mesh size or size of the interstices is largest in screen 24A, is somewhat smaller in screen 24B, and is smallest in screen 240. Thus, it can be stated that the size of the interstices or perforations in the screens 24 progressively diminishes moving from the screens toward the base section 16, or alternatively, that the mesh sizes become progressively graduated moving away from the base section 16.

The sieve members 14- are each slidably mounted within the frame 12, which is constructed in the manner shown in FIGURES 1 and 2.. The uppermost section of the frame 12 includes four corner posts 26 having L-shaped channels 28 extending parallel to one another between posts 26 to form tracks for the sieve members 14, and supporting bars 30 extending perpendicularly to the channels 28 and likewise connecting posts 26. Thus, the uppermost frame section forms a generally square or rectangular framework, as shown in FIGURE 2. The intermediate section of the frame 12 is similar to the uppermost one except that upstanding pegs 32 are provided on the posts 26 to fit into compatible apertures (not shown) in the underside of the posts 26 of the uppermost frame section. The lowermost frame section differs slightly from the intermediate one in that the supporting bars 30 are eliminated. Instead, slots 34 are provided in the undersurface of the posts 26, with the axis of such slots being parallel to the axis of the bars 30.

' The slots 34 permit the lowermost frame section, and hence the entire frame 12 itself, to be mounted above the base section 16. A pair of sides "36', each having an arcuate bottom 38, are disposed beneath the frame 12, and the slots 34 fit over these sides. A pair of cross pieces extend transversely between the side 36, as shown in FIGURE 1 and more clearly in FIGURE 2. The curvilinear base section 16 is itself formed of a sheet of plastic, metal, or other similar material which is mounted at opposite ends to the cross pieces 40. Thus, the shape or curvature of the base section 16 corresponds generally to the arcuate curvature of the bottom 38 on the side 36. At the outer ends of the sides 36, a pair of transversely extending handles are mounted, to enable the entire toy 10 to be manually rocked upon the curved bottom 38.

I Having thus described the structure of the embodiment of sifter toy shown in FIGURE 1, attention is now directed to the manner of operation of such a toy. As previously described, the toy 10 is adapted particularly for use with sand or other particulate material. An auxiliary implement, such as a toy shovel 44, as shown in FIG- URE 1, can be used to introduce sand into the toy. As

such, the sand may be scooped up with the shovel and dropped through the screens 24 in the sieve member 14, to thereby filter downward to the base section 16. While a small amount of sand may immediately drop completely through the screens 2 and into the bottom or base section 16, the great majority of sand will remain piled upon the top screen 24A, since the mesh size of the screen is small enough to only allow the sand to gradually filter downward. The child thus has an opportunity to grasp the handles 22. on the sieve members Mr, and to reciprocate such sieve members, thus creating a shaking action which facilitates the downward passage of the sand. Alternatively, instead of a reciprocating action of the sieve members 14, the entire toy can be rocked upon its curved base section by means of operation of the handles 4.2. This also will facilitate downward passage of the sand through the screens 24. Eventually, most or all of the sand will work its way through the screens, and will form a pile 46 in the base section. It will be understood that due to the graduated size of the screen interstices, and more particularly, the fact that the same diminishes in the direction of the base section, the sand passes downward through the top screen 24A relatively easily, somewhat more slowly through the intermediate screen 248, and then very slowly through the bottom screen 24C. Thus, a single shoveful of sand will work its way slowly and gradually down through the toy into the base section, thereby allowing the child to shake and rock the toy while the sand is working its way downward, and thus affording him a novel and time-consuming toy which he can readily manipulate.

Once the sand is in the base section 46, as shown in FIGURE 2, it has been filtered and any impurities, dirt, sticks, seashells, and other foreign material has been separated therefrom. The child can then transfer this pure, clean sand to a bucket, sandbox, or other location where he can play with the same. When it is desired to clean the toy, so that the same may be brought into the house, it will be noted that the entire assembly can be easily dismembered, since the frame is completely separable as shown in FIGURE 4. Furthermore, due to this particu= lar construction, the sand cannot clog the toy, and the same is free for continued use without the need for any special cleaning or repair.

If reference is now made to FIGURE 5 a modified embodiment of the sand sifter toy in accordance with the present invention is shown. It will be noted that the modified embodiment possesses the same basic fea-- tures as the previously discussed embodiment, that is, a frame 12, a plurality of sieve members 14, and a curvi= linear base section 16. However, the manner of operation and the specific construction of this embodiment of sifter toy is somewhat different and distinct from that previ ously described.

Each of the sieve members 14 is formed with a periph-- eral border, preferably rectangular in shape, and including a pair of opposed side members 50 joined by a pair of op posed end members 52. A handle means 54 is mounted on one end member 52 for each sieve member 14-. In the embodiment shown herein, only two sieve members are provided, and accordingly, a handle 54 is mounted on the left hand of one sieve member and the right hand of the other. However, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to two sieve members, but rather only to a plurality thereof, and accordingly, if several sieve members 14 are provided, the handles are disposed in the same alternating manner as previously described.

A pair of inwardly tapering sides 56 extend from the upper end of the end members 52 toward the lower end of the side members 50, as shown in FIGURES 5 and 6. These side members may be formed of plastic, or other similar material, and are used for mounting the screens or mesh grids 58. Each screen 58 is formed with a different mesh size, the uppermost screen 58A having a larger mesh size because of larger sized interstices, while the lower screen 58B has a smaller mesh size because of diminished size interstices. Thus, as was the case in the embodiment previously described herein, the sizes of the interstices or perforations in the screens 58 progressively diminish moving from the screens toward the base section 16, or alternatively, the mesh sizes progressively graduate when moving away from the base section 16.

The frame 12 includes two elongated side members 60 having small flanges 62 extending inwardly from the upper edge thereof. A medial rib 64 extending along the side members on the inner surface thereof provides a similar inwardly extending flange. A bottom 66 is attached to the side members 60 and extends between them, thus interconnecting the same. The side members 60 are interconnected at their upper end by a pair of transversely extending cross pieces 68, attached at the upper end of the side pieces 60. The bottom 66 has an enlarged central opening 68' therein.

The sieve members 14 are mounted within the frame, with each sieve member having a separate track therein. Thus, the uppermost sieve member 14, carrying the screen 58A is mounted between the upper flange 62 and the medial rib 64, Which does serve as guiding tracks for longitudinal movement of the sieve member 14. Similarly, the lowermost sieve member, carrying the screen 58B, is mounted between the medial ribs 64 and the bottom 66, and it too is thus guided for longitudinal movement within the frame.

As shown in FIGURE 5, and more fully in FIGURE 7, a pair of spaced and aligned screws 70 are provided in at least one of the frame sides 60. The shank of the screw 70 extends through the side piece 60 and into the side member 50 of each sieve member 14. To accommodate the shank of the screw 70, an elongated groove or channel 72 is formed in the outside of each side member 50, as shown in FIGURES 7 and 8. This groove or channel 72 serves to limit the longitudinal movement of the sieve members 14 within the frame 12. As the screen member is moved in one direction, for example, to the right, it can only move in that direction until the screw 70 abuts against the end of the groove 72. Similarly, movement in the opposite direction is limited by the screw 79 abutting against the opposite end of the groove 72. Thus, the sieve members 14 are mounted for limited reciprocation within the frame 12.

The base section 16 is formed of a suitable material, such as plastic, and is mounted to the bottom of the frame surrounding the opening 68 in the bottom 66. The shape of the base section 16, while broadly being curvilinear, is actually frustoconical, as shown in FIGURE 6. This frustoconical configuration allows the base sections to fit contiguously into an auxiliary bucket 70 which can receive the sand from the sifter toy.

The operation of this embodiment of sifter toy is similar to that for the embodiment previously described. Thus, the base section 16 is placed within the bucket 70,

which is allowed to stand upright, and sand or otherparticulate material is then dropped onto the top of the screen members 58. To facilitate downward passage of the sand, the handles 54 may be gripped and moved in opposite directions, thus causing a shaking action which filters the sand downward through the screens 58A and 58B and into the bucket 70 to form a pile of filtered sand 72. If it is desired to dismember this embodiment of sifter toy for cleaning of the same, the screws 70 need only be slightly loosened. When such screws have been loosened to a distance whereby the shank of the same is no longer disposed within the channel 72, the sieve members 14 can be removed, and the entire device can be cleaned to assure that no sand is trapped therein.

It should be apparent from the foregoing detailed description, that the objects set forth at the outset to the specification have been successfully achieved.

What is claimed is:

1. A sifter toy adapted for use in sand and other particulate material, said sifter toy comprising:

a frame formed of a plurality of interfitting sections assembled in stacked relation with one another; each of said frame sections containing a pair of spaced tracks;

a plurality of sieve members, each formed by an open mesh screen mounted within a peripheral border; one of said sieve members being disposed within each of said frame sections with said peripheral border riding upon said tracks;

a pair of spaced, generally parallel side members having substantially linear upper edges and arcuate lower edges;

said frame being mounted upon said side members with the lowermost of said frame sections being connected to said side members but all of said sieve members being disposed above said upper edges;

a curvilinear base section extending between the central portion of said side member lower edges and having and arcuate configuration corresponding to that of said side member lower edges and thereby forming an arcuate bottom upon which said toy may be rocked; and

handle means extending between said side members at opposite ends thereof to enable said toy to be rocked upon said arcuate bottom;

said sieve members being reciprocably slidably upon said tracks in a direction perpendicular to said linear upper edges whereby, when sand is poured onto the uppermost of said sieve members, said sieve members may be reciprocated to cause such sand to pass through said open mesh screens and fall into said curvilinear base section;

said mesh size of said screens being smaller in the sieve member closest to said base section and progressively increasing in said sieve members further away from said base section.

2. A sifter toy adapted for use in sand or other particulate material, said sifter toy comprising:

a frame including two elongated generally parallel side members;

a plurality of ribs disposed on each said side members, with each rib on one side member facing toward and being generaly aligned with a rib on the other side member to thus form a series of tracks;

a bottom extending between said side members at their lower ends and forming a bottom track;

said bottom having a central opening therein;

a plurality of sieve members, each including a peripheral :border having interconnected side portions and end portions, an open mesh screen extending centrally between the side portions of each peripheral border and inwardly and downwardly tapering Walls extending from said end portions of each peripheral border to the end edges of each open mesh screen;

said sieve members being mounted in superposed relationship between said side members with each sieve member peripheral border side portion resting upon a track;

a frusto-conical base section mounted to said bottom in surrounding relationship to said opening;

said sieve members being slidable upon said tracks whereby, when sand is poured onto the uppermost of said sieve members, said sieve members may be reciprocated to cause such sand to pass through said open mesh screens and fall through said opening and said surrounding frusto-conical base section;

each of said sieve members having at least one handle attached to an end portion thereof for reciprocation thereof;

2' 3 the mesh size of said screens being smallest in the sieve References Cited by the Examiner Inem er closest tosaid base section and progressively UNITED S ATES PATENTS increasing in said sieve memiber further away from 246,604 9/1881 Dcrsch 2O9 417 Said basesectien; 5 388,575 8/1888 Nixdorlr 209-337 X means limiting the reciprocable movement of each of 572,242 12/1896 Brandenberger 209370 X said sieve members; 1,123,091 12/1914 Burrowes 209-259 X said members including a groove in the peripheral 1,714,208 5/1929 BOiX 209355 X border of each sieve member and a plurality of 2191'923 2/1940 Cecka 209 315 screws projecting through at least one of said frame 10 FOREIGN NT side members with at least one screw being disposed 641,797 7/1962 Italy. in each groove; whereby each sieve member can be 107,905 7/1943 Sweden reciprocated only until a screw abuts against one end HARRY B. THORNTON, Primary Examiner. of agroove- R. HALPER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A SIFTER TOY ADAPTED FOR USE IN SAND AND OTHER PARTICULATE MATERIAL, SAID SIFTER TOY COMPRISING: A FRAME FORMED OF A PLURALITY OF INTERFITTING SECTIONS ASSEMBLED IN STACKED RELATION WITH ONE ANOTHER; EACH OF SAID FRAME SECTIONS CONTAINING A PAIR OF SPACED TRACKS; A PLURALITY OF SIEVE MEMBERS, EACH FORMED BY AN OPEN MESH SCREEN MOUNTED WITHIN A PERIPHERAL BORDER; ONE OF SAID SIEVE MEMBERS BEING DISPOSED WITHIN EACH OF SAID FRAME SECTIONS WITH SAID PERIPHERAL BORDER RIDING UPON SAID TRACKS; A PAIR OF SPACED, GENERALLY PARALLEL SIDE MEMBERS HAVING SUBSTANTIALLY LINEAR UPPER EDGES AND ARCUATE LOWER EDGES; SAID FRAME BEING MOUNTED UPON SAID SIDE MEMBERS WITH THE LOWERMOST OF SAID FRAME SECTIONS BEING CONNECTED TO SAID SIDE MEMBERS BUT ALL OF SAID SIEVE MEMBERS BEING DISPOSED ABOVE SAID UPPER EDGES; A CURVILINEAR BASE SECTION EXTENDING BETWEEN THE CENTRAL PORTION OF SAID SIDE MEMBER LOWER EDGES AND HAVING AND ARCUATE CONFIGURATION CORRESPONDING TO THAT OF 